Medical conditionTransmission of COVID-19Other namesMode of spread of COVID-19The respiratory route of spread of COVID-19, encompassing larger droplets and aerosolsSpecialtyInfection prevention and controlTypesRespiratory droplet, airborne transmission, fomitesPreventionFace coverings, quarantine, physical/social distancing, ventilation, disinfection, hand washing, vaccination
COVID-19 is mainly transmitted from person to person through inhaling air contaminated by droplets/aerosols and small airborne particles containing the virus. Infected people exhale those particles as they breathe, talk, cough, sneeze, or sing.[1][2][3][4] Transmission is most likely at closer range but, can also occur can occur over longer distances, particularly indoors.[1][5]
The virus spreads through virus-laden fluid particles, or droplets, which are created in the respiratory tract, and they are expelled by the mouth and the nose. There are three types of transmission: "droplet" and "contact", which are associated with large droplets, and "airborne", which is associated with small droplets.[6] If the droplets are above a certain critical size, they settle faster than they evaporate, and therefore they contaminate surfaces surrounding them.[6] Droplets that are below a certain critical size, generally thought to be